New York City Style, Decoded

That New Yorkers wear head-to-toe black 24/7 is a popular myth—that started with a kernel of truth. Yes, Big Apple dwellers sure do love to dress in neutrals—but they’re equally eager to experiment with their style, too. After fashion month each season, after all, NYC’s the first US city where you’ll spot those runway trends in the wild—which might explain why street style photographers are constantly crawling our fair city.

New Yorkers have a uniform all their own, one that’s based on the principles of utility, versatility and metropolitan polish. Click through above to learn which key pieces make up every NYC woman’s wardrobe—and to shop versions of each!